April is National Volunteer Month, and it’s time to celebrate our amazing UC Master Gardeners! These volunteers play a key role in our communities by running workshops, creating beautiful gardens, answering helpline questions, and supporting local garden projects.
This month, we want to highlight their valuable work. While we appreciate them year-round, April is a special time to showcase their efforts. Let’s come together to recognize their impact!
Acknowledging our volunteers is essential. Sharing their stories helps attract new volunteers and shows the public the education and resources we provide. When we appreciate their contributions, we encourage them to stay involved and strengthen their commitment to our communities.
Here are some of our favorite ways to spotlight volunteers through our communication channels.
Social Media: Quick Impacts with Broad Reach
Social media is a great way to recognize volunteers. A simple yet effective strategy is to share a quality photo of a UC Master Gardener in action, along with a brief description of their impact and a consistent hashtag like #UCMGVolunteerSpotlight.
Newsletters: Connecting Volunteers to Seasonal Themes
Your newsletter could include a "Volunteer Victory" section that highlights volunteer achievements in relation to seasonal gardening activities.
Blogs: A Deeper Look into Volunteer Impact
Blog posts provide an opportunity for more in-depth storytelling about the contributions of volunteers. Consider adopting a "day in the life" approach by shadowing a UC Master Gardener during a helpline shift, workshop, or garden maintenance day. These behind-the-scenes glimpses help readers appreciate the expertise and dedication that volunteers bring to their roles.
Focus on capturing specific moments that illustrate how volunteers connect with community members and address gardening challenges. Including direct quotes adds authenticity and personality to these stories, while also highlighting each volunteer's unique perspective and motivation.
Video: Bringing Volunteer Stories to Life
Even simple smartphone videos can effectively convey a volunteer's passion and impact. Short testimonials featuring UC Master Gardeners discussing their favorite projects or most meaningful interactions create engaging content for social media, websites, or presentations.
To encourage storytelling rather than just sharing facts, consider asking questions like: What surprised you the most about becoming a UC Master Gardener? Which project has had the biggest emotional impact on you? What gardening advice do you find yourself sharing most frequently with community members?
You don't need to implement every strategy at once. Begin with one platform where you're already comfortable. Send a simple three-question form to volunteers, select one compelling story, and share it thoughtfully. Focus on quality over quantity—an authentic, impact-focused story on a single platform will resonate more than rushed content across multiple channels.
Remember that volunteer stories are most effective when they highlight specific contributions and tangible community impacts. By focusing on how UC Master Gardeners enhance your community's gardens, knowledge, and quality of life, you'll create recognition that feels meaningful to volunteers while inspiring continued engagement with your program.
|